teaching interactive play
Here’s a common scenario: Your dog loves to chase toys. You pick up a toy and your dog dances wildly in anticipation. “Throw the toy, human! Throw it!” You toss the toy and your dog chases it… and then disappears. Game over! Many dogs love to chase toys, but they don’t always bring the toy back. How do you teach your dog to play interactively?
In this video, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Kiki Yablon works with her client and her client’s dog, Phoebe, to teach a more interactive form of play. They begin by tossing Phoebe’s monkey from behind her training mat, which is one of the places she is likely to take her toy. When Phoebe returns to the mat, they click and treat on arrival. When this pattern becomes predictable for her, Phoebe begins to offer the drop behavior upon reaching the mat, in anticipation of the click. At that point, the toy-drop behavior can be captured and given a verbal cue.
Another advantage to this game? Kiki says, “Phoebe now has a reinforcement history for keeping her feet on the mat. Her dad can also reinforce choosing the four-on-the-floor behavior instead of jumping when he throws the toy!”
For more tips on how to train better and have fun with your dog, check out KPA’s Dog Trainer Comprehensive course!
Happy Training (and Playing)!